Japanese auto giant Nissan said Monday it has signed a four-year global sponsorship deal with the UEFA Champions League as it looks to broaden its brand appeal globally.

The country's No.2 auto­maker - whose largest shareholder is France's Renault - did not disclose the cost of the agreement, which also includes sponsoring the UEFA Super Cup, but called it the firm's "largest-ever sponsorship deal."

"Europe's most prestigious football competition will be an important global platform for Nissan, and our aim is to show fans all over the world the excitement of both football and our cars," said Roel de Vries, its global head of marketing.

Nissan said the Champions League draws about 4 billion viewers annually.